A free game like NYT Connections for friends
Four Links on Letternerd is a free game like NYT Connections: sixteen words, four hidden groups of four, and four mistakes before you are out. Play it alone, or host a room so friends work the same board on their own phones at the same time. It runs in any browser, with no download and no account.
What is Connections?
Connections is a daily word puzzle from The New York Times, launched in 2023 as part of NYT Games. Each day brings one grid of sixteen words that split into four groups of four, each linked by something they share. You pick four words you think belong together, and a wrong pick uses up one of your mistakes. The groups run from straightforward to sneaky, and players share a coloured summary of how they got on.
Why people look for games like Connections
- You finished today’s Connections and want another grid now.
- You want to play the same board as your friends at the same time and see who did better.
- You want a grouping puzzle you can play over a few days in a group chat.
Letternerd vs Connections
| Feature | Connections | Letternerd |
|---|---|---|
| Boards | One new grid a day | Three boards a game, and a new game whenever you like |
| Mistakes | A limited number of wrong guesses | Four mistakes a board; three right out of four tells you that you are one away |
| Playing with friends | Solve alone, then share your result | Everyone plays the same board in one room, live or over several days |
| Scoring | Solved or not, and how many mistakes | Points for every group found and for every mistake you did not make |
| After the board | A coloured summary to share | The reveal shows each player’s guesses as colours |
| Where it runs | Browser and the NYT Games app | Any browser, as a guest |
Which should you pick?
Pick Connections if
- You enjoy a fresh grid written by an editor each day, with wordplay a fixed set of boards cannot match.
- You want your Connections streak kept with your other NYT Games puzzles.
Pick Letternerd if
Pick Letternerd if- You want to race friends on the same grouping board, each on your own phone.
- You want more than one board a day.
- You want it free, in the browser, with no account.
How to play Four Links
- Open Four Links and play alone, or host a room and share the code or link.
- You see sixteen words. Pick four that belong together and submit them.
- A right four locks in as a group. A wrong four costs one of your four mistakes, and if three of the four were right you are told you are one away.
- Find all four groups to finish the board. A game is three boards, and the reveal shows how everyone guessed.
More word puzzles to play with friends
If Connections is your daily habit, these play just as well in a group. Word Hive gives everyone the same seven letters and two minutes. Category Clash deals a letter and six categories, and only answers nobody else gave score. One Clue has everyone write a one-word clue for a guesser, and matching clues cancel out.
- Four Links1–12 players · 8 minSixteen words, four hidden groups of four. Find them all before your four mistakes run out.
- Word Hive1–12 players · 6 minSeven letters, one in the middle, two minutes. Make more words than anyone else, and find the one that uses them all.
- Category Clash2–10 players · 10 minOne letter, six categories, ninety seconds. Only the answers nobody else thought of score.
- One Clue3–10 players · 12 minEveryone writes a one-word clue for the guesser. Matching clues cancel out, so be helpful, not obvious.
Play games like Connections
Free in your browser on any phone or computer. Play alone, or share the room code and everyone joins as a guest.
- Four Links1–12 players · 8 minSixteen words, four hidden groups of four. Find them all before your four mistakes run out.
- Word Hive1–12 players · 6 minSeven letters, one in the middle, two minutes. Make more words than anyone else, and find the one that uses them all.
- Category Clash2–10 players · 10 minOne letter, six categories, ninety seconds. Only the answers nobody else thought of score.
- One Clue3–10 players · 12 minEveryone writes a one-word clue for the guesser. Matching clues cancel out, so be helpful, not obvious.
- Word Race1–12 players · 8 minEveryone guesses the same hidden word. Six tries each, with letter-by-letter hints. Fewest tries wins.
Frequently asked questions
Can you play Connections with friends?
Connections is a solo puzzle you share afterwards. To play together, host a room of [Four Links](/g/four-links): everyone gets the same sixteen words on their own phone, and the reveal shows how each player guessed.
Is there a game like Connections you can play more than once a day?
Yes. Four Links plays three boards a game, and you can start another game whenever you like, alone or with friends.
Does Four Links work on Android and iPhone?
Yes. It runs in the browser on any phone, tablet or computer, so there is nothing to install. You can play as a guest.
More games
Other comparisons
See all- Daily five-letter word puzzleGames like WordleFree games like Wordle you can play with friends: race the same hidden word in a room, try four words at once, or play daily letter games in the Arcade.
- Word-making puzzle from NYT GamesGames like Spelling BeeWord Hive is a free game like NYT Spelling Bee: seven letters, one in the middle, two minutes. Make more words than your friends, solo or in a room online.
- Four-word guessing puzzleGames like QuordleQuad Race is a free game like Quordle: four hidden five-letter words, every guess tried on all four, nine tries. Play alone or race friends in your browser.
- Party game of categories and a letterGames like ScattergoriesCategory Clash is a free game like Scattergories: one letter, six categories, ninety seconds, and only answers nobody else gave score. Play on your own phones.
Connections is a trademark of its owner. Letternerd is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by them. The comparison describes each product as publicly presented and may change; check their site for the latest.